Panera Easy Orange Scones. If you’ve ever plopped yourself down in a Panera, grabbed one of those golden little triangles, and thought, “How the heck do I get this at home?”, then we’re definitely speaking the same language.
Sometimes you just want something bright and cozy without dropping a small fortune at a cafe. Honestly, Panera Easy Orange Scones check all the boxes—soft, zesty, and just—the right kind of sweet. And let’s be real, half the time, the lineup just makes me want to quit and bake instead.
Want a snack you can actually share? I know the feeling. Scones don’t have to be intimidating. (I’ll even throw in a shortcut or two.) If you’re a fan of citrusy sweets, you might like these quick easy recipes too.
How to Make a Copycat Panera Orange Scone Recipe
Alright, let’s get right into it. Here’s how I do my Panera Easy Orange Scones at home. Don’t worry, you won’t need any fancy gadgets or hours of free time—just a big bowl and a little bit of patience.
You start by mixing your dry stuff (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt). Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly—think pie dough, but less intimidating. Here’s the fun part: fresh orange zest and juice. Lots of it. All that goodness goes right into the dough, giving everything a fresh, lively kick.
Mix in an egg and some cream to bring it together. Don’t overwork the dough—it should just hold. Pale orange flecks everywhere mean you’re on the right track. Pat it out, slice into triangles (like pizza, honestly), and onto the tray.
While they’re baking, your house is about to smell like a five-star bakery. No need to be precise, they’re rustic, and honestly, nobody’s ever complained. Pull ’em hot, glaze if you like (I do), and try not to eat more than one. I fail—every time.
“I made these last Sunday, and my daughter thought we’d ordered Panera delivery! The citrusy smell alone was worth the mess in the kitchen.” —Karen, real-life scone enthusiast
Panera Easy Orange Scones
Simple Ingredients for Orange Scones
You’ll be shocked at how basic this Panera Easy Orange Scones ingredient list is. If you bake even a little, you might already have almost everything nearby. For the dough: all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt. Butter—real, unsalted, super cold—do not try the margarine shortcut (unless you’re risky like that).
You’ll need a big juicy orange (navel oranges work great) for zest and fresh juice, plus an egg, and heavy cream. The glaze is just powdered sugar, more orange juice, and a teensy bit of zest. No unusual spices or fancy flour.
Oh, and if you ever want to swap in turbinado sugar or whole milk, go wild, but honestly, the heavy cream makes them bakery-fancy. Sometimes I toss in a splash of vanilla, but no pressure, your call. Nothing weird. Promise.
Panera Easy Orange Scones
Zesting Tips
Okay, here’s where a lot of folks trip up, so listen close! Zesting is exactly what lifts the Panera Easy Orange Scones above plain old scones. Get yourself a microplane or fine grater—no need for expensive equipment. The trick: only zest the bright orange part of the skin. The white stuff underneath tastes bitter, like chewing aspirin (yikes).
Do the zesting before you cut or juice the orange. Trust me, it’s impossible the other way around. Press gently, rotate the orange, and keep your fingertips safe. Fresh zest goes straight into both the dough and glaze for a proper punch. You want every bite to sing. My kitchen always ends up smelling like a Florida orchard for hours.
Oh, don’t toss the rest of the orange—slice it up for snacking while you wait on the oven.
Panera Easy Orange Scones
Pro Glazing Tips
Let’s talk about the finishing touch. So, for that shiny, slightly crackly glaze on top of your Panera Easy Orange Scones, here’s how not to mess it up.
Wait till they cool just a bit—warm, not hot or the glaze slides right off, and cold and it won’t blend in. Mix powdered sugar and fresh orange juice, use just enough juice for a drizzly but not thin texture.
Use a fork for the glaze if you’re feeling wild or just a spoon if you want neat zigzags (I’m a fork person, no apologies). Don’t worry about perfection.
Let the glaze drip down the sides, it’ll set up pretty in about ten minutes. If you’re making them ahead, glaze later, they taste fresher that way. Last secret: a little extra zest on top makes people think you’re way fancier than you feel.
Panera Easy Orange Scones
Variations & Substitutions
Look, maybe you want to riff on the classic Panera Easy Orange Scones—I get bored too. You can totally toss in dried cranberries or white chocolate chips for a bakery twist. Almond extract is wild (in the best way) for something different.
If you’re dairy-free, sub in coconut cream. Margarine does work, but it’s kinda meh compared to butter. Want gluten-free? Substitute your favorite baking blend but keep an eye on texture, scones can get dry quick.
- Serve with clotted cream for a proper breakfast treat.
- Try swapping in Meyer lemons for a twist.
- Freeze unbaked scones for an anytime treat, just add 5 more minutes to bake time.
- Got leftovers? Warm ’em in the toaster for best flavor.
Panera Easy Orange Scones
You do you—recipe police are not invited.
Wrapping It Up
Honestly, making Panera Easy Orange Scones at home is kind of addictive. You save cash, your place smells amazing, and you get bragging rights.
If you love baking stuff that feels special but isn’t a headache to put together, this is a must-try. Want more citrus ideas? Try making your own orange dreamsicle fudge sometime. Heck, you might start skipping that Panera line forever.
If you’re still curious, check out this version of Copycat Panera Orange Scones – A Seasoned Greeting for more inspiration, or peep a quick browse through other quick easy recipes if you need more snack ideas for your next baking day.
Happy baking, scone friend!
Panera Easy Orange Scones
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Panera Easy Orange Scones
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously soft and zesty orange scones, easy to make at home and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice (for glaze)
- Zest of 1 orange (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add orange zest and juice, mixing gently.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg and heavy cream together, then add to the dough, mixing just until combined.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and pat it into a rectangle about 1 inch thick.
- Slice into triangles and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden.
- While cooling, make the glaze by mixing powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over scones and let set before serving.
Notes
For a twist, add dried cranberries or white chocolate chips. Serve with clotted cream for an extra treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg